2/27/2013 |
McAllister won't settle despite 'leg up' for No. 4 spotZach McAllister won't get comfortable this spring because of his deep knowledge and history of the game, and he knows that nothing is assured this early in the season. Even though he is the favorite for the No. 4 spot in the starting rotation, the right-hander will try to earn his place.

2/27/2013 |
Angels keeping options open at closerAngels manager Mike Scioscia isn't picking any favorites for the closer's role, which will be wide open now that Ryan Madson is all but guaranteed to start the season on the disabled list.

2/27/2013 |
Francoeur enters 2013 with something to proveAfter his successful 2011 season, Jeff Francoeur thought he would coast through 2012. That did not happen, and he enters 2013 after challenging himself in the offseason.

2/27/2013 |
Trout notches hit, RBI in clash with GiantsMike Trout went 1-for-2 with a bases-loaded walk and Ryan Vogelsong pitched three scoreless innings in preparation for the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday as the Giants and Angels played to an 8-8 tie at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

2/27/2013 |
Trout's versatility gives Halos intriguing optionsMike Trout is the talk of the sport, very possibly the most accomplished 21-year-old player the game has seen. For now, Angels manager Mike Scioscia is keeping the game's most versatile weapon at the top of the lineup, but that could change.

2/27/2013 |
Booty still technically Marlins' propertyAs Josh Booty was getting ready to pitch in an intrasquad game on Tuesday, D-backs pitching coach Charles Nagy told him about a report from FOXsports.com that Booty was technically still the property of the Marlins

2/27/2013 |
Cueto makes his spring debut vs. D-backsA six-run rally in the sixth inning led the Reds past the D-backs, 14-6, on Wednesday afternoon at Salt River Fields. The game featured the return of D-backs right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who pitched in a game for the first time since being struck in the head by a line drive last Sept. 5.

2/27/2013 |
Padres' Renteria ready to skipper Team MexicoPadres bench coach Rick Renteria took the helm of a San Diego split squad on Wednesday, which should be a good tuneup for his upcoming role as manager of Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

2/27/2013 |
Flu keeps Cruz out of Dodgers camp for dayThird baseman Luis Cruz spent most of Tuesday in urgent care receiving IV treatment for the flu, and he was out of Dodgers camp on Wednesday while recovering.

2/27/2013 |
Prospect Goodwin has lofty goals for futureCenter fielder Brian Goodwin is a highly-touted prospect in the Nationals' organization and projected to be the team's leadoff hitter and center fielder by 2015. But he will be the first to tell you that he has a lot learn.

2/27/2013 |
Wada pleased with 'smooth' bullpen sessionWearing an Orioles' poncho, pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada was feeling good about Wednesday afternoon's bullpen session, joking with reporters as he relayed through his interpreter that, without a crowd, he was able to relax.

2/27/2013 |
Hairston leads Dodgers' big day with three RBIsJerry Hairston Jr. drove in three runs, including a pair on a double in the second, and Brian Barden hit a two-run single in the fifth inning to lift the Dodgers to an 11-7 win over the Cubs on Wednesday.

2/27/2013 |
Prospect Wong should not be overlookedAs circumstances would have it, second baseman Kolten Wong has gone about his work this spring under minimal external scrutiny. None of this, though, should suggest that Wong has shifted from the foreground. Far from it, actually.

2/27/2013 |
Worley's Phils experience proves valuable with TwinsVance Worley absorbed as much knowledge as he could over the years from Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Because of his relationship with those four pitchers, he has become a sage of sorts with his new Minnesota Twins teammates.

2/27/2013 |
Martin not in Wednesday lineup, but feels betterRussell Martin walked out of the Pirates' training room on Wednesday morning wearing a wide smile and an electronic heating gadget strapped to his right shoulder and said he "feels much better today."

2/27/2013 |
Girardi uncertain if Hughes will be ready by AprilYankees manager Joe Girardi said that he is still waiting for Phil Hughes to be cleared to resume throwing and acknowledged on Wednesday that there is a chance the right-hander will not be ready to begin the season.